Reality at Ground Zero

Two things about New York Gov. David Paterson: He'll have to run for election in two years, and he's not dumb. Paterson isn't about to let himself get blamed because the construction schedule at Ground Zero is in tatters.
Thus he held a news conference a couple of days ago to demand sternly that the Port Authority develop new cost estimates and timetables for the $16 billion project. Accurate ones this time. No spin. No phony optimism. No "gloss," as the governor put it.
That would be a refreshing change from the pixie dust of former Gov. George Pataki, who two years ago forced an unrealistic timetable and price tag on the Port Authority. And an honest forecast will do more than provide Paterson political cover. It will enable the Port Authority and state leaders to revise the work as time and finances warrant.

That is a very good thing, and sensible changes already have begun. On Tuesday, Port Authority executive director Chris Ward announced that the wing-shaped roof of the new PATH rail hub won't be able to swing widely, opening and shutting like the flapping wings of a bird.
Sure, it would be aesthetically pleasing to have a building that somehow evoked a dove. But the artsy roof would be hugely expensive and would require that other buildings at the site be built farther back -- so as not to get hit.
The Port Authority, however, must go further to achieve common sense. The thinking at the agency now is that although the PATH roof's wings won't flap, a center ridge will still open -- 10 to 12 feet. Why? To let pigeons in? So rain can fall inside when the mechanism inevitably falters and the roof is stuck in the open position? How about just building a strong, old-fashioned roof that won't leak on commuters?
Pataki didn't want to be bothered with such pesky realities. He wanted to announce a construction legacy that would show voters his presidential timber. The Port Authority went along, despite knowing better, because the governor of the Empire State has incredible clout and control over the bistate agency.
Now the Port Authority is to report back with a realistic Ground Zero construction and financing schedule by Sept. 30. Ward already has acknowledged that the iconic 9/11 memorial will not be done by the 10th anniversary of the attack.
It's also a safe bet that the Freedom Tower, the new PATH rail hub and other work may be two years or more behind the original completion dates of 2011 to 2013. The $16 billion project cost could climb by as much as $3 billion due to change orders and cost overruns.
Clipping the wings of the PATH roof was a step in the right direction and one that won't detract from the building's architectural power.
The Port Authority should be ready to make other revisions to the Ground Zero plan to keep the cost affordable and the Freedom Tower and other office space marketable.